Minutes of New Brunswick Coastal Joint Action Group (NBC JAG)
March 17, 2008, 10:00am
Department of Health, Room 172, Moncton

Attendees:
Dominique Audet, Shediac Bay Watershed Association (SBWA)
Laura Barrett, Eastern Charlotte Waterways Inc. (ECW)
Harry Collins, Miramichi River Environmental Action Committee (MREAC)
Conrad Cormier, Southeastern Anglers Association
Rémi Donelle, Kent Watershed Association
Francois Emond, Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
Ernest Ferguson, Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans, Gulf Region (DFO-Gulf)
Larry Hildebrand, Environment Canada (EC)
Marianne Janowicz, NB Dept. of Environment (DENV)
(alternate representing: Kim Hughes, NB Dept. of Environment)
Susan Linkletter, Petitcodiac Watershed Alliance (PWA)
Rob MacDougall, Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans, Maritimes Region (DFO-Maritimes)
Marc-André Plourde, Les ami(e)s de la Kouchibouguacis
Kim Reeder, St. Croix Estuary Project (SCEP)
Luc Richard, Petitcodiac Watershed Alliance (PWA)
Peggy Thompson, Eastern Charlotte Waterways Inc. (ECW)

Regrets:
Kathy Brewer, NB Dept. of Agriculture and Aquaculture (DAA)
Nada Comeau, L’association des bassins versants de la grande et petite rivière Tracadie
Raymond Gallant, Comité Sauvons nos Rivières Neguac Inc.
Jocelyne Gauvin, Le Groupe de développement durable du Pays de Cocagne
Monique Anne Morin, NB Dept. of Fisheries (DoF)
Frédéric Paillard, Groupe de bassin versant de la région de Cap-Pelé
Annick Poirier, Partenariat pour la gestion intégrée du bassin versant de la baie de Caraquet
Élie Roussel, Comité de gestion environnementale de la rivière Pokemouche
Karen White, NB Dept. of Health (DoH)

Meeting Actions:
1. Action for L. Hildebrand: Provide information updates on the Canadian Oceans Commission and the Fisheries Act regulation dealing with municipal wastewater treatment.
2. Action for E. Ferguson: Provide EOR template, 2004 watershed group directory, and update on the scientific report on Lamèque Bay.
3. Action for Secretariat: Gather completed ENGO surveys and put results on the NBC JAG website. Forward results to Raissa Marks at SEA NB.
4. Action for Secretariat: Contact DNR to see if they can do a presentation discussing ownership of submerged land and how these lands are managed.
5. Action for Secretariat: Contact Melissa Cummings regarding a presentation on HADD.
6. Action for Secretariat: Contact John Legault or Brad Firth regarding presentation on Google Earth.
7. Action for Secretariat: Collect information on nutrient monitoring and distribute to the NBC JAG members. (This work may occur as a mapping project in another fiscal year.)

P. Thompson (Chair) brought the meeting to order. Roundtable introductions were conducted. P. Thompson went briefly through the meeting actions from the January 21, 2008 NBC JAG meeting.
· P. Thompson requested E. Ferguson responded to the following action items, provide information regarding ability for ENGOs to receive CAMP data, provide information from the Eelgrass Working Group, and provide status on the production of the “Eelgrass and the Environment” posters and pamphlets. E. Ferguson stated the results from CAMP would be presented at a workshop next week for the watershed groups that participated in the program. He also stated there would be a meeting of the Eelgrass Working Group in April to determine the work plan for the next year and to begin developing a protocol for eelgrass surveys. With regards to the production of the eelgrass posters and pamphlets he stated they would be more likely to be produced if eelgrass was determined to be critical habitat or they may be produced by the eelgrass working group as it evolves.
· L. Barrett provided a summary of the information gathered on “pits and quarries”, a discussion topic from the previous meeting. The summary is attached.

P. Thompson asked government representatives in attendance to provide news from their agency.

E. Ferguson stated since issues arose in Lamèque Bay, such as odour and marine algae problems, surveys for hydrogen sulfide have been conducted in the summer and winter. Recently the surveys have shown an improvement in the sediment of the bay. However, nutrients in the water column are still noticeable. It was determined the primary source of nutrients was from a fish processing plant. The improvements in the sediment were noticed after the processing plant started implementing practices from the document Best Management Practices: Marine Products Processing developed by the Coastal Zones Research Institute in Shippagan (www.irzc.umcs.ca/flash_content/anglais/ppm_bpg.html) and with improved treatment of the effluent. He also stated there would be a scientific document published on the Lamèque Bay situation in the near future.
· There was an inquiry as to whether other fish processing plants in the province were using the BMPs developed by CZRI.
· E. Ferguson stated he did not believe so.
E. Ferguson also mentioned watershed groups had requested a sedimentation protocol be developed so a meeting had been held with the groups to discuss this topic. Carole Godin is currently working on this item and he hopes the protocol will evolve this field season. The last item that E. Ferguson discussed was compensation projects resulting from HADD. He mentioned there had been a meeting with the Department of Transportation (DOT) to discuss when it is applicable for them to destroy habitat. He also mentioned some current and upcoming compensation projects, an oyster reef in Caraquet Bay, fish passage possibly at Indiantown Brook, fish passage possibly at Black River, and stabilization work on the Lord and Foy on the Big Tracadie River.
· There was an inquiry as to whether DFO would consider not accepting a project if it would destroy good lobster spawning habitat.
· E. Ferguson responded first a proponent is asked if the project can be moved, if not they are then asked if the project can be redesigned to decrease the impact on habitat. If a project would be destroying critical habitat it can be declined.

F. Emond stated there was no news from his agency.

R. MacDougall stated the DFO Small Craft Harbours Program and DOT are always in need of HADD projects. He also mentioned that Melissa Cummings (melissa.cummings@gnb.ca) is the HADD coordinator for DOT for both the Gulf and Maritimes Regions of DFO.
· There were inquiries as to whether 1) restoration projects needed to be completed in the same area the original habitat was destroyed and 2) could HADD be used for research projects.
· R. MacDougall stated restoration projects usually needed to be completed in the approximate area that the original habitat was destroyed but that is not to say projects in other areas wouldn’t be considered. Also, HADD cannot be used for research.
· There was a comment that sometimes community groups might be doing more harm then good when they complete a HADD restoration project, as they do not necessarily have the expertise available to ensure the project is scientifically acceptable. It was stated a more formalized partnership between DFO and the group completing the project might rectify this issue, as DFO could then provide the expertise.
· R. MacDougall stated all HADD projects must have an acceptable plan in place before the work can be completed. However, if a more formalized partnership were required then applying for a watercourse alteration permit would be a good step.

L. Hildebrand stated regulations under the Fisheries Act might be changing in relation to municipal wastewater treatment. He will keep us updated. Also, he discussed the Ecosystem Indicator Partnership (ESIP) through the Gulf of Maine Council (http://gulfofmaine.org/esip). ESIP was developed to gather information from around the Gulf of Maine and compile the information into an Indicator Reporting Tool and a Monitoring Map. Both of these applications are interactive and can be found on the website. He also discussed the Atlantic Canada Ecosystem Initiative that it is currently in a two-year transition period (www.ec.gc.ca/ecosyst/backgrounder.html). Lastly he discussed a workshop he had just attended to discuss the feasibility of a Canadian Oceans Commission. He stated the British Columbia ENGO Marine Planning Caucus developed the idea for this commission; the groups involved in the caucus are the David Suzuki Foundation, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS), Living Ocean Society, Sierra Club of BC, and WWF Canada. He suggested if this commission is put in place NBC JAG should consider putting forward some ideas. He stated he would share information on this commission as it became available.

M. Janowicz stated the planning commissions are going to be set up with the mapping program, Open City. This will allow the commissions to review many of the projects that were once reviewed in Fredericton by DENV.
· R. MacDougall stated his department is putting together GIS information for the lower Saint John River and would be interested having it placed on Open Cities.

P. Thompson asked ENGO representatives in attendance to provide news from their groups.

C. Conrad stated his group is working on an erosion and sedimentation study in their area and stewardship of riparian zones.

H. Collins stated possible projects are water classification and a research spin-off from CABIN (Canadian Aquatic Biomonitoring Network) in the Renous area with a PhD student. Also, they have received funding from the NB Wildlife Trust Fund (NBWTF) to do research on a rare mussel called the brook floater as an indicator species. This species is currently found in the Doaktown area but they will be trying to find out if it exists in other areas.

L. Richard stated he would soon be leaving PWA and S. Linkletter would be taking over his position.

D. Audet stated her group has received funding from the NBWTF to work on a sedimentation protocol.

R. Donelle stated Jocelyne Gauvin with Le Groupe de développement durable du Pays de Cocagne has put out a guide for businesses to combat climate change.

K. Reeder stated SCEP is redoing studies that were completed by Art MacKay in 1978. Also the quarry in Bayside is an area of concern for her organization.

M. Plourde stated he recently began working on a renewal of his group’s strategic plan with his board of directors. The three main areas of concern were, 1) roads, bridges and culverts, 2) waterfront/riverfront development, and 3) sewage.
· There were inquiries about spawning of striped bass on the Kouchibouguacis and about a rare plant found on the Kouchibouguacis.
· M. Plourde stated there is no spawning of striped bass on the Kouchibouguacis but there might be on the Richibucto.
· R. Donelle stated the spongy arrowhead plant, which grows in estuaries was found. It is rare in NB but not globally.

P. Thompson stated her organization is assisting the local clam harvester co-op to transfer aquaculture techniques to Gowans Cove.

L. Hildebrand suggested two studies of interest might be a strategic plan for tidal power and ecosystem overview reports for each coastal ENGO.
· H. Collins stated his organization does a State of Environment report for their watershed every year.
· E. Ferguson stated DFO has a template for Ecosystem Overview Reports (EOR). These reports are already being completed by some organizations. The reports bring together all the information for a watershed and help organizations determine information gaps.
· M. Janowicz stated the Bay of Fundy Ecosystem Partnership (BoFEP) has been awarded a contract to complete the public consultation of tidal power regarding a sight off of Campobello and one off of Grand Manan. Arthur Bull will be the facilitator for the six consultation meetings. BoFEP has one part-time employee.

Michel DesNeiges from the NB Environmental Law Society (NBELS) gave a presentation (www.sade-els.org). He stated the NBELS offers a law clinic, which conducts pro-bono research services for environmental/conservation groups and local governments. He stated the clinic does not give out legal advice and cannot represent clients. However, they are building a list of private lawyers that would be able to provide legal services. He mentioned the clinic is currently accepting proposals for research topics through their hotline, (506) 389-8999.
· A discussion followed regarding lobbying versus advocacy. It was suggested this might be a good research topic for the law clinic. It was stated governments could only support not-for-profit organizations that deal in advocacy, not lobbying.

Raissa Marks from the Sustainable Education of Alliance of NB (SEA NB) gave a presentation (www.nben.ca/seanb). Please see the attached link for her presentation.

P. Thompson introduced the next agenda item, “What are the rules and regulations pertaining to snow dumping directly into watercourses/sea?”
· M. Janowicz stated the language does not necessarily say snow should not be dumped in the water but it does say it should be avoided at all costs. She stated snow-dumping sights should have a 30meter buffer from the watercourse and should have a snow fence around them. For more information visit the following website, www.gnb.ca/0009/0373/0001/0020-e.asp.

P. Thompson asked the attendees if there were any further comments or business.
· Ideas for future presentations included Melissa Cummings from DOT (HADD) and John Legault or Brad Firth from DFO (Google Earth applications).
· It was mentioned municipalities might be required to develop a municipal green plan to get their gas tax funds. Wayne Barchard from EC would have more information on this topic.
· There was an inquiry whether a showcase of each coastal ENGOs projects would be beneficial. It was stated NBC JAG must start showing accomplishments not just information sharing if it is to continue. E. Ferguson stated a document or directory of watershed groups was compiled by DFO-Gulf to help educate their employees about the groups. It was suggested updating and expanding this document might be a good project for the NBC JAG.

Meeting was adjourned at 2:20pm.